A look back at the greatest deciders from three decades of State of Origin rivalry.

Mitchell Pearce finds out the hard way that a sleeve tattoo doesn't help him play betterSource: News Limited

OPINION: Who's going to win Origin III? Well, let's strip this thing down to its basics.

Imagine you're back at school. It's lunchtime and you're playing a game of footy on the school oval. There are 34 players available and they just happen to be the 34 players in Origin III.

Which NSW players would you pick?

Seriously, which NSW player would you pick ahead of their Queensland counterparts if you had first choice of every player to make up your side?

We tried this exercise and here's what we came up with: Zero.

Yes, zero. Or to use a Kevin Ruddism, zip.

Doesn't exactly bode well for the chances of NSW tonight, does it?

Here's a run-through of our reasoning behind each choice.

Farah is a fine player but Cameron Smith is the greatest. Source: Getty Images

Number 1. Josh Dugan (NSW) vs. Billy Slater

Dugan's talented, but Slater is a genius. Think of Billy in Origin and you think of his amazing debut try. But the stats show he's actually most deadly from close range. In short, Slater is the ultimate attacking weapon, a free-ranging threat who bobs up when and where Qld needs him. He drops the odd high ball but is still a no-brainer of a choice.

Number 2. Brett Morris vs. Darius Boyd

Morris is a fine player, but how can you overlook this versatile Queenslander who has crossed the stripe 12 times? If you picked wingers for their bubbly personality, Boyd would never get a game. But if you pick them for their ability to finish, then it has to be Darius.

Number 3. Michael Jennings vs. Greg Inglis

Jennings is one of the few players in rugby league capable of creating something out of nothing at any time. But Greg Inglis is the most devastating player in the game, and would be first picked in any team in the universe.

Hooray, the state where I allegedly played my first senior game is better than the one I grew up in. Pic Darren England. Source: News Limited

Number 4. Josh Morris vs. Justin Hodges

This is a line-ball selection, as Morris has been the form centre of the NRL for two years now. Hodges is a veteran, and this could be the 31-year-old's last Origin game. You you just sense he's going to wreak his special kind of havoc to remind us what we'll miss.

Number 5. James McManus vs. Brent Tate

McManus is a good solid player who makes few mistakes and knows how to find the line. Brent Tate is similar, and though not as quick as he was in his prime, he gets the nod because he's doing the business at this level since 2002.

Number 6. James Maloney vs. Johnathan Thurston

Maloney's star is rising rapidly. Meanwhile, Johnathan Thurston has been playing about as well as the rest of the North Queensland Cowboys, currently languishing in 14th spot in the NRL. Now close your eyes and imagine Greg Inglis running off Thurston as he holds back one of his perfectly-timed passes. Would you really pick another player ahead of him? Of course you wouldn't.

Number 7. Mitchell Pearce vs. Cooper Cronk

In Mitchell Pearce's dreams, he orchestrates a backline the way Cooper Cronk does. This is real life, not dreamland.

Number 8. Aaron Woods vs. Matt Scott

If Gallen wasn't injured, you'd pick him for sure. But he's out of Game III, and in his place is Aaron Woods, a fine young prospect and a devastating runner with ball-in-hand. But the 22-year-old Tiger lacks the intimidation of his counterpart Matt Scott, who's as tough as the Queensland outback where he grew up.

Number 9. Robbie Farah vs. Cameron Smith

The stand-in NSW skipper is an incredible talent who generally tops the tackle count for his state, and is also its most creative player. The man is both tradesman and artist. Alas, he's up against perhaps the greatest Number 9 ever. Smith gets the job.

Number 10. James Tamou vs. Nate Myles

Tamou has had an interrupted season due to his DUI conviction, and his form overall has been a notch or two below his 2012 level. Nate Myles has a chin of steel. You wouldn't pick a fight with him and that's exactly why you'd pick him in your team.

Number 11. Luke Lewis vs. Chris McQueen

How could we over look the Man-of-the-Match in Origin I this year for a guy playing just his second Origin? Haven't we spent half this list opting for experienced players over rising stars? Yes, we have. Thing is, there's something devastating about McQueen. It's like everyone at the Rabbitohs this year has sat next to Greg Inglis at brekky and said: "I'll have what he's having".

You'd smile too if you had Cronk and Thurston to run off. Pic Darren England. Source: News Limited

Number 12. Ryan Hoffman vs. Sam Thaiday

Hoffman's great. He's one of those products of the Craig Bellamy assembly line who receive little attention but do everything right. Thaiday is a wrecking ball with hair. We'll have him, thanks.

Number 13. Greg Bird vs. Corey Parker

Bird is always a threat and possesses the sort of mongrel that makes him a purebred Origin superstar. Parker, like Dallas Johnson and Gary Larson before him, is one of those unsung Qld forwards who does all the grunt work. This pick is about dependability. It's about a man who won't let you down versus a guy who could blow up and cost his team a crucial penalty. We'll play the percentages and have Parker, thanks.

THE BENCH

Number 14. Andrew Fifita vs. Daly Cherry-Evans

Fifita is in frightening form, but Queensland's bench has versatility with Cherry there. He's on the verge of being the best playmaker in the game, and those are no small credentials.

Number 15. Trent Merrin vs. Ben Te'o

Merrin is tough, but Te'o is that and more. One of the best line runners in the game, Teo's appearance late in the game running fresh lines off Thurston could prove the difference.

Number 16. Boyd Cordner vs. Matt Gillett

Keen-eyed observers will note that we had Josh Reynolds here earlier this morning. Oops. Changed now. But what hasn't changed is the fact that we wouldn't swap a bloke with no Origin experience for this versatile and highly mobile Qld forward.

Number 17. Anthony Watmough vs. Josh Papalii

Watmough is a real professional, who knows how to win these big games. Papalii is a Caterpillar bulldozer dressed up as a human being. We'll pick him.

Even his shadow is massive. Pic: Adam HeadSource: News Limited

FINAL WORD

Of course, this is sport and weird things happen in sport. The history of sport is littered with teams who've outclassed superior opposition - whether by guile, strength or attrition.

For all Queensland's on-paper superiority, we've got a feeling NSW will win and end seven years of pain. What's your take on the big game?

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Rob Mobeston, I really hope you are joking about Gidley. As a Queenslander I am more than happy for him to play for NSW, but no way should he be playing for Australia. Agree with other comments, I would take Lewis in my team anyday, but I would still take Parker over Bird. Parker makes alot more ground than you might think, doesn't give away stupid penalties, plus he can kick goals. I would also be taking Fifita on my bench over Gillett, he is in fine form at the moment.

Comment 2 of 51

Azahazawin01 of Brisbane Posted at 12:28 PM July 17, 2013

Hey kudos to some of you mexicans, but the only one's you've highlighted are mainly benchwarmers. Don't here too many arguing with the positions of importance, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 9, and they are in the Australian team, and they will be the difference on what will be yet another embarrassing night 4 NSW rugby league.(8th year in fact) Pull yer heads in and give credit were it's due, stop whingin' and start trainin' for next year.
7 was heaven. 8'll be great. 9 will be fine. But 10 will be the END!!!!!!
Stir 'em up Queenslanders.

Comment 3 of 51

kickagoal of lidcombe Posted at 12:18 PM July 17, 2013

inglis is one centre the other is Jennings as for some of your forward selections I don't think so who did you pick in front of luke lewis have another forex and stop writing dribble p.s. lewis would be the first backrower picked I rate him second only to SBW his work rate and versatility are second to none in the origin line ups people say how versatile gallen is id like to see him play centre or wing

Comment 4 of 51

J Mc Posted at 12:15 PM July 17, 2013

At least this one is being played at a ground that can hold more than 60,000.
is Brisbane really a capital city ? How come it only has one team in each of the footy codes >

Comment 5 of 51

Doesn't believe eveything he reads of North of the border Posted at 12:12 PM July 17, 2013

Hook, line and sinker anyone????
Anyone???

Comment 6 of 51

Warrenz of Brisbane Posted at 12:08 PM July 17, 2013

10 of NSW's players are members of NRL teams that are currently in the top 8 compared to only 7 of Qld's. Its about form and not loyalty, and most of the Qld team are from teams in poor form, fact. Go the BLUES!

Comment 7 of 51

Andy of Brisbane Posted at 12:07 PM July 17, 2013

No Blues would want to wear Maroon. No REAL Blues anyway. keep the traitors... But you did help with upsetting people today Mr Sharwood.

Comment 8 of 51

Adam Edwards of Australia Posted at 12:05 PM July 17, 2013

You are a muppet

Comment 9 of 51

Queensland's Everywhere of New South Wales Posted at 12:05 PM July 17, 2013

Where is Bowraville? Thats in Queensland. Where is Minto? Thats in Queensland. Where is Suva? Thats in Queensland. Where is Papua New Guinea? Thats in Queensland. Queensland's everywhere.... (Look it up on You Tube - Great Laugh!)
Im surprised that Queensland havent tried to poach Boyd Kordner - after all Old Bar is on the Mid North Coast, just down the road from Kempsey & Bowraville.
Oh yeah, Josh Papalii - where is Auckland, oh yeah, that's in Queensland. (I will concede James Tamou is from Palmerston North - but thats in NSW)

Comment 10 of 51

Steve of Brisbane Posted at 11:44 AM July 17, 2013

Stop Trolling TB of NSW

Comment 11 of 51

gerry sinclair of gold coast Posted at 11:41 AM July 17, 2013

Bazza is the one that has it right - check the refs form - they have decided well over 55% of all games so far this season not the players or coaches.
Re the players Parker is a much more valubale SO player than Bird, just on temperament and off loads alone, and speaking of temperament I dont know if this hate Qld mantra emanating from the likes of Bird/Gallen etc is the right frame of mind to have to ensure a win, it all reeks of ricky Stuart and 'passion' but its the 3 'ps' preparation, planning and professionalism that wins most games in any sport , not passion alone, and Meninga is good with the 3 'p's.
For tonight, 3 'p's plus better balanced bench and absence of Gallen, may be the factors that counteract home ground and misguided passion, but again as Bazza said it is probably the refs that will decide it.

Comment 12 of 51

Glen Posted at 11:41 AM July 17, 2013

I cant believe this article was published on news.com .... I know to click past when this clown Sharwood writes another sports article.

Comment 13 of 51

ellcee of QLDer in Melbourne Posted at 11:41 AM July 17, 2013

Bwahahahaha...it's funny coz it's true...

Comment 14 of 51

peter Posted at 11:31 AM July 17, 2013

Peter Sterling was born in Queensland but did not play for Queensland in the state of Origin

Comment 15 of 51

Adelaide Naylor of Australia Posted at 11:29 AM July 17, 2013

Too bad most of the QLD team are from NSW, right?

Comment 16 of 51

Rob Mobeston Posted at 11:29 AM July 17, 2013

This is a story clearly written by someone that is one eyed and does not understand football. Have a look at the Australian team mate! Just because they are out done by an immediate counter part does not mean they wont play elsewhere. Also Myles in the front row over Tamou? Your on drugs! Fafita and Watmough easily beat their opponents in DCE and Papalii. Lewis also earns the benchspot over Gillett and we all know being fit Gidley and Gallen come straight in. Morris will be named over Boyd for Australia.

Comment 17 of 51

John Marston of Beechers Hope Posted at 11:25 AM July 17, 2013

McQueen over Lewis? Fifita over DCE? wow this article is biased......

Comment 18 of 51

TB of NSW Posted at 11:19 AM July 17, 2013

Sorry, it does not matter any more.....The game is full of violence on and OFF the field, feel sorry for the kids coming thru now as it is all about MONEY & EGO'S

Comment 19 of 51

Sally Posted at 11:06 AM July 17, 2013

I just love that in all these comments no one disagrees with Cronk over Pearce and Smith over Farrah. There is sense in the world!

Comment 20 of 51

Realist of Planet Earth Posted at 11:05 AM July 17, 2013

LG; I hope you're right.
Josh; you're the joke!

Comment 21 of 51

empty of gold coast Posted at 11:04 AM July 17, 2013

from qld but lewis over mcqueen? I'd have lewis over mcqueen 8 days a week. In fact I'd have lewis over thaiday as well. Whatmough over Papali too.

Comment 22 of 51

Hillz of NSW Posted at 10:58 AM July 17, 2013

Lewis over McQueen any day!

Comment 23 of 51

Schmoomt of Brisbane Posted at 10:56 AM July 17, 2013

Dumb story. How about you look at the last Australian side picked.....

Comment 24 of 51

Tootsie Posted at 10:56 AM July 17, 2013

If that were true Inglis wouldn't be playing for Queersland. You conveniently forgot that 'FACT' Anthony.

Comment 25 of 51

Slinky Posted at 10:56 AM July 17, 2013

Lewis, watmough, bird, fifita -easily better than their opposites - I even think dugan is better than slater. Stick to watching AFL or Rugby you clown.

Comment 26 of 51

T Posted at 10:54 AM July 17, 2013

Already have -GREG INGLIS

Comment 27 of 51

Josh 2 Posted at 10:53 AM July 17, 2013

One Josh agreeing with another.. Obviously a queenslander.. McQueen over Lewis?

Comment 28 of 51

Bazza Posted at 10:51 AM July 17, 2013

The game will be decided by the refs not the players'
Mybe do a form guide on the refs.

Comment 29 of 51

Ron Posted at 10:51 AM July 17, 2013

Reconsider calling yourself a writer/journalist after this pile of crap.

Comment 30 of 51

Bob of Sunny Coast Posted at 10:49 AM July 17, 2013

Morris over that old has been Hodges. Lewis over McQueen, Bird over Parker

Comment 31 of 51

phil Posted at 10:48 AM July 17, 2013

"Youze are all idiots, mabey the morons that actually play full time on nsw teams should just stay up there, don't come back if queens land is so good, bunch of queens in your land"..and that my friends says it all. Regardless of the result, we can manage to read and write English here in Qld.

Comment 32 of 51

AJ of NSW Posted at 10:48 AM July 17, 2013

McQueen over Lewis, Parker over Bird, Papalii over Watmough... What a fool!

Comment 33 of 51

Justin of Hunter Valley Posted at 10:47 AM July 17, 2013

No NSW player would ever be caught dead in a maroons jumper anyway so your whole article is moot!

Comment 34 of 51

Peter Pumpkin of Brisbane Posted at 10:45 AM July 17, 2013

I am a Queenslander and I still find this very bias even to the point of being embarrassing! Our cockiness has increased as a State every year since winning the 2nd series in a row. Yes I do believe we have the better team on paper, but there is no way that I would pick all of our players over NSW in every position! They have strike power all over the field and as a NRL fan I am really looking forward to tonight's blockbuster, hopefully we can add another series to our list, but most of all I am looking forward to watching another entertaining game of footy while sitting on the couch with beverage in hand. Go the maroons!

Comment 35 of 51

Daz Posted at 10:45 AM July 17, 2013

cherry-evans over fifita??? Who is paying this guy?

Comment 36 of 51

Stooowie Posted at 10:42 AM July 17, 2013

Pull your head in! James Tamou Vs. Nate Myles... Chin of steel? Wouldn't pick a fight with him? Lame excuses, Tamou gets my nod! Luke Lewis over Chris McQueen?! Are you off your head mate? Parker over Bird? Cherry-Evans over Fifita??? Re-think your decisions, don't just make up useless statements to try and make your story work.

Comment 37 of 51

Dan of Tas Posted at 10:37 AM July 17, 2013

Probably the worst article I have read on News.com.au.

Comment 38 of 51

Archie of Cairns Posted at 10:34 AM July 17, 2013

What a totally unbiased article.

Comment 39 of 51

Ryan of Sydney Posted at 10:32 AM July 17, 2013

That was the biggest load of garbage I have ever read by a Queensland journo that is afraid that the Queensland winning streak will end tonight, so he writes a complete biased article to make himself feel better.

Comment 40 of 51

Cambo of Brisbane Posted at 10:29 AM July 17, 2013

I'm a QLDer and would take Luke Lewis without hesitation.

Comment 41 of 51

Josh Posted at 10:27 AM July 17, 2013

Obviously a Queenslander. Doesn't know much about Rugby League. McQueen over Lewis, Parker over Bird. What a joke

Comment 42 of 51

Kurt Stewart Posted at 10:21 AM July 17, 2013

Love how your conclusion basically makes the whole point of this article a joke..... "just in case" Queensland don't win.........pride comes before a fall!

Comment 43 of 51

LG Posted at 10:15 AM July 17, 2013

I have a bad feeling that QLD will walk this in, hope I'm wrong...

Comment 44 of 51

joel of gosford Posted at 10:13 AM July 17, 2013

Youze are all idiots, mabey the morons that actually play full time on nsw teams should just stay up there, don't come back if queens land is so good, bunch of queens in your land

Comment 45 of 51

Dean Posted at 10:12 AM July 17, 2013

Crazy bad, non-evidence based article. Look at the Australian team....heaps of NSW players in there. Durrrrrrr.

Comment 46 of 51

Gareth of Sydney Posted at 10:11 AM July 17, 2013

What a load of crap.
Why isn't the whole Australian team the Queensland team then?

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